[sq_]

> I really understand when I want to use the phone or the notebook computer. The iPad is sort of in the middle.

I'd never seen it put that way before, but I think it hits the nail right on the head for me. I do like my 2020 iPad Air when I use it, and the pencil is great; however, I basically end up using it as easy scratch paper or when copy-pastable handwriting is useful. Plus when I need an extra screen to go with my laptop.

It definitely has nice features, but doesn't feel like a compelling use-case overall, yet.

[rootusrootus]

The most compelling use case I've seen yet for the iPad is for regular people who don't want a desktop or laptop computer, but don't want to do everything on their phone. The iPad is just a really big smartphone that with a folio keyboard can become an impromptu laptop if needed. In my extended family I have a few people who are using it for this exact use case and love it. Only one of them even has the keyboard, and all of them do everything on their iPad they'd otherwise use a 'real' computer for.

[ask_b123]

Another great use for the iPad is for sheet music. IME it is better than paper and much, much, much better than trying to use an iPhone or PC (which I've done sporadically).

[filoleg]

Niche use case, but totally agreed. I was holding onto paper sheet music for the longest time, but no desire to even look back after switching to iPad for that purpose.

It helps that the app I use easily integrates with any cloud storage you would want to use, so I can easily just get sheet music using any personal device and just drop it into my cloud folder. And the next time I sit down at the piano, all those sheets are already there.

[ghaff]

Way back when the iPad first came out, I didn't get it. But I read a lot, got one, and rather liked it. My conclusion was it (especially pre-pencil) was a somewhat luxury and rather optional device that did some things quite well. But was rather unnecessary compared to a MacBook or iPhone (or substitute some generic equivalent). And even non-Max smartphones are much bigger than they used to be.